Beyond Friendship Gate

All Falls Down: No. 28 of 40 Forts

All Falls Down: No. 28 of 40 Forts

I created this piece after I had a fight with Henry. The great thing about waiting over a month to write about the fort is that I can’t remember the full details of the fight. Other than I bought three shelves, which make up the centerpiece of the paper sculpture.

I have usually gotten obsessed with doing research before I buy something. Thank you, internet. For better or for worse, I spend lots of time debating over whether or not to buy something. At least it is from the comfort of my own home or phone, in most cases. But this was a totally spontaneous purchase. I needed a display for the forty forts. West Elm was closing. And I thought these shelves would be perfect.

Unfortunately, Henry thought it was a bad decision. And six weeks later, I can say that they are still in the packaging. Although I do have a plan for two of them in our kitchen. And my current display in my studio is not sustainable. So maybe I have a plan for all three.

She recognized that nothing had changed except for everything.

Our conversation stemming from these shelves made me realize that our future wasn’t all mapped out. I am not a huge planner, but I like to have a general momentum. But I had also caught myself living in the future instead of the present. So in retrospect, it was a great reality check. It was one of those conversations that made me realize that we were just going with the flow. And I had to be content with that. Which is where I settled on:

She recognized that nothing had changed except for everything.

view of the falling shelves

The title of the piece references the Kanye West song “All Falls Down.” As a journalism major turned book artist, I can totally identify with the character in the song.

Man I promise, she’s so self conscious
She has no idea what she’s doing in college
That major that she majored in don’t make no money
But she won’t drop out, her parents will look at her funny

True. And I have two degrees. But I am thankful to say I don’t have any student debt. Thank you, Mom and Dad, and the State of North Carolina.

This paper sculpture, roughly the size of a coffee cup, is one of forty forts I created during Lent 2010 as a creative exercise and spiritual exploration.